The Trump administration has stirred controversy by sending emails to U.S. federal employees demanding a detailed account of their work achievements from the previous week. The communication, sent from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) human resources, mandates a response by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday or risk job termination. This directive, spearheaded by Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has ignited concerns among federal workers and unions alike.
Elon Musk took to the social media platform X to underscore the gravity of the situation, stating that failure to respond would be equated with resignation. This unprecedented move has left many federal judiciary employees, who received the email despite not being part of the executive branch, in a state of uncertainty. The Trump administration's rapid approach to cutting government expenditure by reducing the federal workforce has resulted in disorganized terminations and subsequent rehiring of essential personnel in critical sectors, such as nuclear safety and defense.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing federal workers, announced plans to contest any unlawful dismissals that might arise from this situation. Everett Kelley, the AFGE's president, condemned the administration's actions, highlighting a recurrent disregard for federal employees and their indispensable services. Meanwhile, the Executive Office for United States Attorneys has advised its staff to hold off on responding until the emails' legitimacy is confirmed. Similarly, some federal agencies have issued follow-up communications urging employees to delay their responses as they assess the emails' authenticity and devise a strategic response.
"To be clear, this is irregular, unexpected and warrants further validation by management." – A NOAA employee (via Reuters)
A notable aspect of this debacle is the targeting of probationary employees or those with less than two years in service for potential job cuts. This initial wave has been criticized for its focus on workers who are more vulnerable to dismissal. Meanwhile, questions loom over Musk's legal standing to enforce these terminations, especially given his lack of formal authority within DOGE. The White House clarified in a recent court filing that Musk does not hold an official position within DOGE and thus lacks jurisdiction over its operations.
"Once again, Elon Musk and the Trump administration have shown their utter disdain for federal employees and the critical services they provide to the American people." – Everett Kelley, the AFGE's president
This chaotic scenario has prompted some agencies to initiate internal reviews and establish protocols for handling such directives. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is among those affected by this sweeping email campaign. Employees involved in confidential work now face an additional layer of complication as they navigate how to detail their accomplishments without breaching security protocols.